WATCH: War Hero's emotional surprise

Manchester War Hero David De Souza entered Key 103’s coffin in an attempt to win £1000 with Mike & Chelsea’s Halloween Lock Up, sponsored by Arrange My Funeral. He wanted to win the money so he could donate the money to The Royal British Legion... but his experience didn't exactly go to plan.

WATCH this is the incredibly moving short film as it explains what happened to David in Iraq and features his emotional reaction to Greater Manchester's surprise generosity.

David De Souza suffered a broken back, severe head wound and a brain haemorrhage which left him temporarily blind after he used his jeep to block the path of an insurgent in Iraq in 2007. 9 years on and he's still suffering from the after affects.

The 41-year-old dad of two stole the hearts of Key 103 listeners on Wednesday 28th October to raise over £3,000 as he took part in the Halloween Lock Up competition and vowed to give the prize fund straight to the British Legion.

David entered to take part in the Halloween challenge – which has seen listeners locked in a coffin and asked to successfully guess when 60 minutes have passed (with only a two-minute window either side) to qualify to win £1,000. David said, “£1,000 is a lot of money to me. It’d pay for a holiday or days out with the kids, but £1,000 means even more to the Royal British Legion. I entered because I wanted to do something different to give them a boost. I have a Just-giving page that received £720 in the first 10 days against a £250 target I set myself. I realised there was no limits to how much I could raise for my fellow soldiers – both those still serving and veterans.”

Listeners flooded the Key 103 text and call lines immediately to donate and to demand the station gave David the money – no matter the outcome. Listener donations reached over £1,000 during the breakfast show. David unsuccessfully guessed the 60-minute time limit at 88 minutes. The prize money then followed the competition format and was offered to the listener who had guessed the nearest time that David would press the buzzer to escape.

The winning listener, Tim from Poynton, donated 50% of his winnings to an emotional David and Key 103 breakfast hosts Mike and Chelsea vowed that the station would also put £1000 into the fund.

A sobbing David said “I’m speechless and overwhelmed by Manchester’s generosity. I had no clue that anyone would donate whilst I was in there. When people think of war veterans they think of old men, men in their 80’s and 90’s but unfortunately there isn’t many of those left anymore. Now war veterans are in their 20’s and upwards. I was lucky enough to see the poppy memorial in London last year and it really stuck with me. I wanted to do something to keep the memories alive.”

Mike Toolan from Key 103's breakfast show said, “£1,000 is a lot of money. It makes a huge difference in anybody’s lives, so for David to so selflessly put himself through this process in the aid of The Royal British Legion is inspiring. He’s been through things we can’t even imagine and he’s still living with the after effects, yet he’s turning it into something positive everyday". Chelsea Norris added, "Manchester always gets together to support one of its own and this was no exception.”

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